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Police: Thieves Targeting Cars In Gym Parking Lots Around New Jersey, Long Island

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Purses and other valuables left out in plain sight have made women easy targets for crooks looking to make a quick score at fitness facilities.

"I come here all the time and I leave my car here and I don't worry about people breaking in and now I have to," Synergy Fitness member Jackie Goldstein told CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco on Friday.

Nassau County Police are looking for a thief that broke into 10 cars at the Baldwin, Long Island fitness center between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The thief smashed the windows of locked cars and stole purses and wallets.

"Usually they see something in the car that makes it attractive to them," Nassau County Police Department spokesman Kenneth Lack explained.

In Wyckoff, N.J., police have been investigating a series of smash-and-grab jobs that took place at the YMCA.

Police said that these types of break-ins have been on the rise during the holidays. They have reminded gym users to hide their belongings.

"You can really help yourself out quite a bit by just locking your stuff in the trunk, locking your valuables in your glove compartment," Lack said.

For added security authorities suggested putting valuables in the trunk before arriving at your destination, parking in well-lit areas, looking out for suspicious people, and always locking your doors.

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